Ivan Dean MLC 9th February 2009 Media Release Foxes
IT IS LITTLE wonder there are members of the public who are cynical regarding the fox position in this state.
On 12 January 2009 a government vehicle was seen just south of the southern access into Oatlands on the Midland Highway with the occupant examining something on the side of the road. Photographs were being taken, a close inspection was evident and a phone conversation was occurring. In all this went on for about 45 minutes.

The occupant was seen to put a carcass in the vehicle and drive off.

A nearby Oatlands resident whose elderly dog, described as a ‘Jack Russell Cross’ had gone missing and was yet to be found, observed the activity and became suspicious that his family pet had been the item picked up from the roadside and taken away.

He rang the Fox Eradication Branch (FEB) to enquire if they had indeed picked up his dog from the road and was advised that they had. He voiced his displeasure and requested the return immediately. He was told they would ring back, which they did, with the comment they had taken the carcass because they thought it was a fox.

The dog, an old and small family pet was returned. The FEB member said he travelled to Launceston on Monday mornings and returned to Hobart on Thursdays each week and during his travels on the highway he kept a look out for evidence of foxes.

The FEB officer is believed to be an experienced officer.

The owner of the dog is concerned that such effort was put into identifying his dog – a dog that he says has little resemblance to a fox. He himself has shot a fox on the mainland and cannot accept as reasonable the removal of his dog for further examination following a lengthy scene examination.

The resident described the event as the ‘joke’ of Oatlands and as he said, if experienced people get it wrong it is not surprising so many suspected sightings are reported.

I have serious concerns when those trained in fox identification need to go to such lengths to verify the identity of an animal, which had only recently been killed and showed evidence of veterinary treatment as it had had an eye surgically removed. The owner did say to the FEB member that he wasn’t aware foxes were able to attract professional medical care.